Sometimes others can explain the importance and benefits of social-emotional learning a little better than we can. It’s okay to want to hand over the mic from time to time. Perhaps it’s a different view-point, different experiences, or a different work environment that a new perspective brings to the table. This is why I love TED Talks for School Counselors.
The point is, there are plenty of nuggets of valuable information living on the internet.
And as hard as we try, or as much as we want to, we can’t take on everything when it comes to advocating and teaching social-emotional learning.
When it’s Time to Refer Someone
As a counselor, it can become a burden (not that we’d ever call it that) to try to advocate for certain causes. Whether that’s in our schools with coworkers, talking to parents about their children, or even when working with children directly.
And, yes, even the most compassionate, caring, counselor can become overwhelmed, or even burnt out from trying to gently get a point across.
Lucky for us, the internet is alive and well…and full of fantastic speakers with brilliant minds.
So when you find that you’re running in circles, repeating yourself over and over, or simply need to pass the baton, you can easily defer to the internet.
And the good news is, people love spending time on the internet.
So what better way to pass the buck to someone else than to defer to another professional?
Enter the SEL TED Talks for School Counselors
It’s prestigious to give a TED talk…impressive, even.
And when you feel like you’re not being taken seriously, there could be a pro out there with the clout and celebrity to drive home your purpose.
In other words, use these SEL TED Talks to support your point, your story, and your mission to integrate SEL into your school district.
Because even though you and I know that you know what you’re talking about, having a celeb or prominent speaker saying the exact same thing you’ve been trying to say may carry more weight.
Plus, it takes a little of the work off your plate.
So, without further ado, here’s a list of some of the best SEL Ted Talks to share with peers, parents, and students to help drive home SEL.
Some of my Favorite Ted Talks for School Counselors
- How Social-Emotional Learning Benefits Everyone (a great PD for staff about SEL)
- Make Stress Your Friend (Your attitude about stress is more harmful than the actual stress. Stress can be helpful!)
- 10 Ways to have a better Conversation
- How to Raise Successful Kids without Over-parenting
- Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are
- The Superpower of Resilience
- Procrastination
- We are all Different and That’s Awesome.
- Every Kid Needs a Champion (a classic – very motivational)
- How to Not Take Things Personally
After the TED Talk
Here’s the beauty of pointing your peers to a killer TED talk…you get to revisit the subject later.
If you’re following up with a coworker, a simple chat in the teacher’s lounge, to see what they thought, can help them process what they’ve learned.
If it’s a parent, you can send a follow-up TED Talk, get their take on it, or give them an activity related to the talk that they can practice with their child.
The point is, these TED Talks can be used as a tool in your program, a fallback when you’re not being heard, and a way to instill confidence in the subject matter that means so much to you, your students, and their families.
If you don’t have time for a TED talk, watch a few relatable teacher video clips to ease tension.
